Paris Jackson Raises Concerns Over Father’s Estate Management
Paris Jackson, the daughter of the late music icon Michael Jackson, has made headlines by challenging the management of her father’s estate. In a recent filing submitted on November 18, Paris, alongside her brothers Prince and Bigi, has voiced strong concerns about what she describes as years of questionable decisions by the estate’s co-executors, John Branca and John McClain.
Delayed Accounting Raises Red Flags
One of the main issues Paris highlights is the long-overdue 2021 accounting report from Michael Jackson’s estate. The siblings received these documents only in September, nearly four years late. Upon reviewing the accounting, Paris expressed alarm over what she perceives as poor financial management that fails to benefit the beneficiaries or uphold their father’s legacy.
Financial Concerns Detailed
In her filing, Paris draws attention to the staggering compensation received by Branca and McClain. She claims that the co-executors collected more than $10 million in compensation in 2021 alone—an amount that she believes is over double what any beneficiary, including herself and her brothers, received from the estate. By the end of 2021, she estimates their total compensation to be around $148.2 million, a stark contrast to the relatively modest amounts given to the family.
Furthermore, Paris alleges that over $464 million is currently held in cash, with returns of less than 0.1%. She argues that such “unproductive investments” could have been better managed to earn an estimated $41 million in profits.
Questionable Investments and Risky Ventures
Paris is particularly critical of what she describes as “risky” entertainment investments endorsed by Branca and McClain. One notable venture is the upcoming Michael biopic, in which Branca serves as an executive producer. Paris questions the executors’ qualifications to make such significant decisions, suggesting that they lack the necessary industry experience to responsibly pursue high-risk projects.
Calls for Accountability
In her legal battle, Paris seeks to have the 2021 accounting thrown out and replaced with a revised version that accurately represents the estate’s actions. She believes there is a lack of transparency in the current management and that this has led to decisions that may predominantly benefit the executors rather than the beneficiaries.
Ongoing Disputes and Backing from Executors
A spokesperson for the estate has dismissed Paris’s concerns, labeling her claims as misguided attempts to cover for previous legal setbacks her attorneys have faced against the estate. They emphasize that all beneficiaries have been well looked after and reiterate the estate’s transformation into a “powerhouse” in the music industry since Michael Jackson’s death in 2009, when he was reportedly over $500 million in debt.
Lack of Recent Accounting and Potential Intentional Delays
Adding to the gravity of her concerns, Paris points out that the executors have still not provided accounting for 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025. She suspects that these delays may be a tactic to keep the estate open indefinitely, allowing the executives to pursue potentially high-risk investments without accountability.
The Hearing Ahead
This ongoing legal dispute sets the stage for a major hearing scheduled for January 13, 2026, where Paris hopes to bring attention to her grievances and push for changes in the management of her father’s estate. As the saga unfolds, it raises questions not only about financial governance but also about the legacy of Michael Jackson and how it is being preserved.